Corn-planter



(No Model.) 3 She ts--Sheet 1. H. J. WAGNER.

CORN PLANTER.

No. 72,725.. Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

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H. J. WAGNER.

GORN'PLANTER. No. 372,725. Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

R E N G A W h H M M m CORN PLANTER.

Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

N PETERS. Photo Mhugnaher. wamin lnn. D C

NITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

HENRY J. WVAGNER, OF DAYTON, MISSOURI.

CORN-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,725, dated November 8, 1887,

Application filed July 18, 1887.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, HENRY J. \VAGNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Cass and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Corn-Planters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in corn-planters; and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices, that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a corn-planter embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same, partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line x 00 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detached perspective view of a portion of one of the main wheels. Fig. 5 isa similar View of one of the seed-dropping devices. Fig. 6 isa vertical sectional view taken 011 the line z z of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line a a of Fig. 6, looking upward. Fig. 8 is asectional view on line b b of Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a top edge view of a portion of one of the runners, showing the offset plate on one side thereof.

A represents the main frame of the machine, which comprises theparallel side bars, B, and the cross-bar 0, extending through the front ends of bars B and connecting the same together. The ends of the bars 0 project beyond the outer sides of the bars B and form spindles, as shown.

D represents the tongue, which has its rear end pivoted to the crossbar C by means of diverging arms E. The center of the crossbar is enlarged and is provided with a vertical opening.

F represents a platform of suitable size and shape, which is secured on the frame A. To the rear ends of the bars B are attached brackets Gr, having curved depending arms pro- 'vided with curved slots H.

I represents a transverse shaft or axle, which extends through the said slots, is adapted to move vertically therein, and is prevented from moving endwise by means of collars K. To one endof the shaft is'rigidly attached a wheel,

Serial No. 244,645. (No model.)

F, and to the opposite end thereof is loosely mounted a wheel, M.

N represents a clutch which is feathered on the shaft I, and is adapted to slide longitudinally thereon and to engage the inner end of the hub of wheel M, and thereby lock the said wheel to the shaft.

0 represents a hand-lever, which is fulcrumed in an opening in the platform F, and has its lower end bifurcated to form arms P, that engage an annular groove in the sliding clutch. This hand-lever extends upward from the platform for asuitable height, and is within easy reach of the driver mounted on the seat R.

S represents a transverse shaft, which is journaled in blocks T, that are provided with vertical arms U. The said arms fit in vertical guideways V, formed on the rear sides of the vertical arms of the brackets G. A crank, NV, is made at each end of the shaft S, thesaid cranks being in line with each other.

Y represents a rock-shaft, which is journaled transversely on the platform F, near the rear end thereof. From said rock-shaft projects rearward-extending arms Z, and to one end of the rock-shaft is attached a hand-lever, A.

B represents a pair of rods which connect the free ends of the arms Z to the shaft S. By this construction the shaft S is adapted to be raised or lowered by means of the handlever A, as will be readily understood.

B representsa pair of curved runners, which have their front ends pivoted on the ends of the bars 0, the rear ends of the said runners being thereby free to move up and down. The rear ends of the runners are provided on their upper sides with vertical extension-plates O, and to the inner sides of the said extensionplates are rigidly secured cylindrical hoppers D, which are provided in one side with a V- shaped incised offset or shoulder, E, which extends toward the center of the hopper. The bottom of each hopper is formed by a circular seed-plate, F having a series of seed cups or openings, G, arranged near its outer edge, and radial projecting spurs H, which extend from the periphery of the seed-plate and are arranged between the cups or openings G.

1 represents a plate which is arranged under each seed-plate. The said plate 1 isrigidly secured to the vertical rod K, on which the seed-plate is journaled, and the upper end of which rod extends upward in the center of tubes N are each divided into three verticalchannels, 0, by means of vertical radial partition-plates P, with which the said tubes are provided. The upper end of each tube N is provided with a series of three radial projecting spurs, R, which are arranged in the paths of depending tappet pins or studs S on the under side of the plate F with one of which each of the spurs H is provided.

To the inner sides of the runners, at the rear ends thereof, are secured offset-plates T, thereby forming spaces of suitable width between the said plates and the inner sides of the runners. The front ends of the said plates are extended obliquely to the runners, and are also .inclined rearwardly, as shown, thereby adapting the plates to open furrows in the soil as the-machine advances. The seed-tubes N between the plates T and the runners.

U represents.downwardly-extending arms,

one of which projects from the rear side of each hopper. The rear ends of the said arms are bent outward, and are arranged obliquely with relation to the line of draft to form spindles V, on which are journaled circular coveringdisks W.' Owing to theinclination of the spindles, the said covering-disks extend obliquely across the-furrows, and are thereby adapted to cover the said furrows as the machine advances. Ooil-springs X are placed on the spindles V and bear against the inner sides of the coveringdisks. The said springs serve to normally keep the covering-disks at the outer ends of the, spindles, but permit the said disks to slide inward on the spindles when they encounter obstruction, thereby preventing the danger of the disks or their supporting-armsbeingbroken. The extension-plates O of the runners are provided with horizontal slots or openings, through which the spurs of the rotating seed-disks successively project, for the purpose to be hereinafter explained.

Each'wheel F and M is provided with a rim having its face beveled on opposite sid es,thereby adapting the wheels to cut. through clods and loose earth and enabling them to obtain a firm bearing on the ground over which they pass, and adapting the wheels to direct the machine in a straight line. From opposite sides of the rims of the wheels, at suitable regular distances apart, project studs or pins Y.

Z represents a concentric ring with which each wheel is provided. The inner edges of the said rings project laterally from the inner sides of the wheels and extend to within a slight distance of the straight outer sides of the runners. These rings are secured to the spokes, as shown.

A represents a series of tappet-rods with which each wheel is provided, a suitable number of the said tappet-rods being provided for each wheel and the said rods being arranged at suitable regular distances apart. The outer ends of these tappet-rods are passed through openings near the inner edges of the rings Z, and are secured by means of nuts, as shown. The inner ends of the said tappet-rods are bent outward at right angles and bifurcated to form hook-arms B, which pass on opposite sides of the adjacent spokes and engage the inner sides of inner concentric brace rin'gs, 0*, with which the wheels are provided.

D represents U-shaped yokes, which have their arms attached to spokes of the wheels at suitable regular distances apart and coincident with the tapp'et-rods A F represents markers,which comprise bolts or pins having their outer ends extending through openings in the outer arms of the frame D" and their inner ends reduced in diameter and extended through openings in the inner arms of the said frame. Coiled springs G are placed on the reduced portions of the markers and bear between the inner arms of the frame D and the shoulders on the mark- I ers, the said springs thereby serving to normally project the outerends of the markers radially from the frames D The outer ends of the said markers are beveled, as shown, and thereby the markers are adapted to successively enter thesoil as the wheels rotate and make openings in the. soil along the side and in line with the bills as the seeds are planted, thus enabling the'exact site of each hill to be determined, and also enabling the driver to direct his team so that the corn will be in exactly parallel rows.

Through each runner B, at'a-snitable distance from the front ends thereof, extends a transverse shaft, H The outer ends of the said shafts are bent rearward at an angle of about thirty-five degrees, and are provided with depending fingers I". the said shafts are journaled inv sleeves K. Rods L extend from the said sleeves to the cross-bar O. The inner fingers, I", of each shaft are provided with rearward-extending plates M The upper edges of the said plates are provided with inwardly-extending arms N, which are rigidly attached to the rear ends of levers O, that are journaled on the shafts H and bear against the inner sides of the runners. n

1? represents link-rods, which ,have their upper ends bent at right angles to form arms or spindles journaled in bearings R on the planted The inner ends of lower side of the platform. The lower ends of the said link-rods are also bent at right angles, and are journaled in openings in the front ends oflevers 0 S represents volute springs, which have their inner ends attached to the lower spindles of the link rods and their outer ends bearlng on the rear ends of levers 0 the function of these springs being to turn the shafts H so as to cause the fingers I to normally assume a vertical position. i

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that the fingers 1 are arranged directly in advance of the wheels F and M, and thereby the said fingers are adapted to clear away stones, clods, and trash in advance of the wheels, thus enabling the said wheels to always keep to the earth, and consequently preventing them from moving faster or slower while passing over obstructions.

When the lever A is moved forward, the rock-shaft S is elevated and caused to raise the rear ends of the runners and the coveringdisks from the ground, as will be readily understood. As the said runners rise the linkrods 1 depress the front ends of the levers O", and consequently elevate the rear ends of the said levers, and as the plates M of the fingers are. connected to the said levers the said fingers are turned rearward, and thereby raised from the earth.

The operation of the planting mechanism is as follows: As the machine advances, the wheels F and M rotate and the tappet-arms on the said wheels successively engage the projecting spurs of the seed-disks, and consequently rotate the said disks, so that the seeds are dropped therefrom into the tubes N and onto the plates M. As the seed-disks rotate rotary motion is imparted to the seed-tubes, and the vertical partitions therein sweep the seeds previously dropped on the plates M into the furrows, where they are covered by the covering-disks, as before described.

It will be understood that the seed-disks are only actuated at the times when the tappetarms of the wheel are in Contact with the spurs of the seeddisks, and therefore by providing the wheel with the requisite number of tappets the hills may be planted any desired distance apart. \Vhen one of the tappet-arms is provided for each spoke, the hills of seed or corn will be planted so close together as to form drills.

T represents a transverse rock-shaft, which is journaled on the platform F, and has its ends bent at right angles to form arms U, which are curved around the treads of the wheels and are adapted to be engaged by the studs or pins Y when the rock-shaft is turned rearward, so as to check the rotation of its wheels, and thereby preventing the seeding mechanisms from operating while the machine is being ranged at the ends of the rows.

V represents a pedal with which the shaft T is provided, and from the upper side of the said shaft projects an arm, W A vertical standard, X rises from the upper side of the platform near one side thereof, and to the upper end of the said standard is fulcrumed a bell-crank lever, Y. The front arm of this lever is provided at its free end with an open slot, Z", that engages the upper end of arm NV", and the rearward-extending arm of the said bell-crank lever extends on the inner side of the hand-lever O, and is adapted to be engaged by the same.

\Vhen the lever O is moved inward so as to cause the clutch to engage the wheel M, the said lever strikes the rear arm ofthe bell-crank lever, and consequently turns the latter to cause the same to tilt the rock-shaft T forward, and thereby disengage the arms of the said shalt from the rims of the wheel.

\Vhen it is desired to use the machine for planting corn in check-rows, the operation thereof is as follows: \Vhen the machine is arranged at one side of the field, the lever O is moved to cause the clutch to engage the wheel M, and the wheels F and M are provided with only a few (preferably three) tappet rods or markers each, as shown in Fig. 1, and the wheel M is locked to the shaft with its tappetarms and markers arranged directly in line with those of the wheel F. The machine is then started, and the wheels,beingboth locked to the main shaft,are caused to rotate in unison, and thereby plant the seeds in hills which are in line with each other. When the machine reachcs the opposite side of the field, it is turned and arranged in position parallel with the planted hill, and the driver depresses the pedal V with one foot, thereby turning shaft T rearward, so that its arms bear against opposite sides of the rims of the wheels and prevent'the wheels from rotating when the studs or pins Y thereof come in contact with the said arms. These studs or pins are so arranged that when they engage the arms of the brake'shaft the planting mechanism is in position ready to drop corn into the furrows. The planter is then moved forward, causing the runners to be crowded or forced into the ground, and when the machine is in position and the dropping mechanism is exactly in l ne with the hills previously planted the operator releases the shaft or brake T from the wheels and moves the lever 0 so as to lock the wheel M to the main shaft, and the operation before described is then repeated.

A represents a short transverse axle,which is secured to the lower end of a vertical pivotal bolt, B", which extends through the vertical central opening in the cross-bar C. On the ends of the said axle are journaled small wheels 0 which serve to support the front end of the frame, and thereby relieve the necks of the horses. The pivotal bolt and its wheels and axle form aguiding and supporting truck for the planting-machine, as will be readily understood.

The function of the curved brackets G is to allow the wheels F and M to remain on the ground and not lose their measurement when the runners might be lifted up by clods or trash.

I have herein described my invention as a corn-planter; but it will be readily understood that it is adapted for planting sorghum, beans, peas, and other seeds with equal facility.

. Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a planter, the combination of the hopper, the rotating seed disk or plate F therein, having the depending tappcts S, and the depending rev'oluble tube arranged under the discharge-opening of the hopper, and having the spurs R engaged by the tappets S, substantially as described.

2. The combination,inaplanter,ofthe frame, the wheels having the tappet-arms A, the hoppers having the seed plates or disks provided with the spurs adapted to be successively operated by the tappet-arms, said spurs having depending tappets S, and the depending revoluble tube arranged under the dischargeopening of the hopper, and having the spurs the wheels having the tappets -A the runners having their front ends pivoted to the frame, the hoppers secured to the said runners and having the seed disks or plates provided with the spurs engaged by the tappets A, and having the depending tappets S, the depending revoluble tubes arranged under the dischargeopening of the hopper, and having the spurs It engaged by the tappets S, and the lever to raise and lower the runners, for the purpose set forth, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a planter, ofthe hopper having the rotating seed-disks, the depending revoluble tube arranged under the discharge-opening of the hopper and provided with the vertical channels, the said tube being connected to and actuated by the 'seeddisk asthelatter rotates, and the stationary plate M, arranged under the lower end ofthe tube, substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a corn-planter, of the Wheels F and M, the vertically-movable runners having the furrow-openers and arranged beside the wheels, the fingers or guards attached to the said runners and arranged in front of the wheels, for the purpose set forth, and the lever to raise and lower the runners, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination, in a planter, of the vertically-movable runners arranged along the sides of the operating-wheels, the shafts H journaled to the said runners and having the depending arms I at their outer ends,the said shaftsbeing provided with the lever-arms O, and the links connecting the said lever-arms to a fixed point, whereby the fingers I will be turned rearward when the runners are raised, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in a cornplanter, of the runners, the shafts H journaled thereto and having the guard-fingers I and the lever-arm O and the volute springs connected to the said lever-arms, for the purpose set forth, substantially as described. 7

8. The combination,in a planter, of the frame, the wheels having the tappets A, the runners having their front ends pivoted to the frame, the hoppers secured to the said runners and having the revoluble seed disks provided with spurs adapted to be engaged by the tappets N, the furrow-openers attached to the runners, the obliquely-arranged spindles attached to the runners in rear of the furrowopeners, the obliquely-arranged circular covering-disks journaled on the said spindles, and the lever to raise and lower the runners, substantially as described.

9. In a planter, the wheels having the concentric rings Z and 0 attached to the spokes, and the tappet-arms having their outer ends attached to the rings Z and their inner ends bifurcated to form hook-arms adapted to pass on opposite sides of the spokes and engage, the inner rings, substantially-as described.

10. In a planter, the combination of the furrow-openers, the planting mechanism to drop seed into the furrows, the obliquely-arranged spindles in rear of the furrow-openers, the obliquely-arranged circular covering-disksjournaled on the said spindles, and the springs bearing. against the said covering-disks, substantially as described.

11. The combination, in a check-row cornplanter, of the main shaft, the wheel F,rigidly secured thereto, the loose wheel M on the said shaft, the clutch to lock the said Wheel to the said shaft, the lever 0, connected to the .said clutch to operate the same, the rock-shaft T having the brake apparatus, and the arm W, and the bell-crank lever Y connected to the arm I and bearingagainst the lever 0, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Ihave hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY J. WAGNER.

\Vitnesses:

NV. H. SMITH, J. H. PAGE. 

